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France manager Didier Deschamps has said he is eager for a high-profile confrontation between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland after his side were placed in the same World Cup group as Norway at Friday’s draw.
Speaking in Washington, Deschamps described the prospect of the two prolific forwards facing each other as one of the standout storylines of Group I, which also features Senegal and one more team yet to emerge from the intercontinental play-offs.
Deschamps noted that while both squads contain several top-level players, the attention will inevitably centre on Mbappé and Haaland, who are among the leading goal scorers in world football.
He hinted that both men will arrive in North America as contenders for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
Mbappé has been in outstanding form for club and country this season, having scored 30 goals in 24 matches for Real Madrid and France, while Manchester City striker Haaland has registered 33 in the same number of games for his club and Norway.
Norway booked their place at the World Cup by finishing above Italy in their qualifying group, sealing their return to the finals for the first time since 1998.
France, meanwhile, are chasing a third World title after their dramatic shootout defeat by Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar.
Group I will be completed by one of Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname, with the final place to be decided through play-offs in March.
A meeting with Senegal also carries historical weight for Les Bleus, who were stunned by the West African side in the opening match of the 2002 tournament and were subsequently knocked out at the group stage despite entering as the reigning champions.
Deschamps, who will step down as France boss after the tournament following 14 years in charge, said every World Cup writes its own narrative and stressed the importance of making a positive start.
Should France finish top of the group, they would face one of the strongest third-placed teams in the new round of 32 format. A potential encounter with Germany in the following round is also on the horizon.
Despite France’s status as one of the favourites, Deschamps insisted his players must approach the competition with humility, warning that success will only come by navigating the early stages carefully before considering the final rounds.
